Nutrition affects every aspect of our lives, from how much energy we have, how well we think, act and behave. It influences how quickly we heal, how well we fight infection and how healthy our mouths are. As dentists, we are naturally interest in the latter so let’s discuss it a little more.
First let’s talk about how food can damage your teeth and provide challenges for oral health. Many foods contain acids that attack tooth enamel. The enamel is the outer shell of the tooth and keep it white, protected and healthy. Other foods contain sugar that acts as fuel for the bacteria in your mouth that also produce acid to attack the teeth.
Bad Foods
Products that contain acid include citrus fruit, tomatoes, dried fruit, coffee, alcohol and nicotine. All directly attack tooth enamel as well as provide sugar for bacteria to do the same. Some of these products are also responsible for discolored teeth, which is another reason to only consume them in moderation or better still, avoid them completely.
Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. The vast majority of it helps protect your mouth and works to benefit you. Some attack teeth using sugar as fuel. It is these bacteria that we as dentists are concerned with. Any food or drink that is high in sugar provides fuel for these bacteria to use attacking your teeth.
Did your parents tell you sugary foods will rot your teeth? They were telling the truth and this is why. Not only does this bacteria eat away at tooth enamel, they produce gas as a byproduct which results in halitosis, or bad breath. Nobody wants that!
Good Foods
There is a range of foods that contain little or no acid or sugar that present little risk to teeth. Some even help restore the balance. Foods such as cheese, meat, unsalted nuts and other dairy products contain essential ingredients that lower the PH level of your mouth, meaning is neutralizes the acids in your mouth.
Vegetables and fruit all contain lots of water to dilute acids, as well as only naturally occurring sugars. They also encourage the production of saliva, which is your body’s natural defense against bacteria.
A healthy balanced diet also helps your immune system fight infection, helps keep you healthy, promotes good growth, healthy cell repair, positive mental wellbeing and more. As holistic dentists, we are naturally in favor of all these things.
You really are what you eat, so it’s vital that you have as healthy a diet as you can. The better your diet, the better you’ll feel, guaranteed!
